What is Public Health?

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Last Updated: 10.22.13

What Is Public Health?

Public health is the science of preserving and improving the health of entire populations through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the prevention of diseases and injuries, and the control of infectious diseases. These populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as large as an entire country or region of the world.

Public health professionals implement educational programs, recommend policies, administer services and conduct research — in contrast to clinical health care providers who traditionally focus on treating individuals after they become sick or injured.

Public health also works to limit health disparities by promoting health care equity, quality and accessibility.

Videos About Public Health

This is Public Health (Association of Schools of Public Health):

Public Health Logo Video (National Association of County and City Health Officials):